Cheez-Its &c
Correction: An earlier version of this post misstated the Cheez-It Duoz product lineup. The current core flavors are:
Sharp Cheddar & Parmesan
Jalapeño & Cheddar Jack
Bacon & Cheddar
Pesto & Mozzarella
I just finished putting the kids to bed. We had a surprisingly long discussion about Cheez-Its.
Earlier today we opened a new box of Original Cheddar Cheez-Its. On the back was an advertisement for Cheez-It Duoz, which combines Original Cheddar and White Cheddar in the same box. My children immediately asked if we could buy White Cheddar next time we went to the store. When I pointed out that the Duos box already contained both flavors, they both strongly rejected the idea.
Naturally, I began the interrogation.
My daughter explained that she likes being able to see exactly what she’s about to put in her mouth. She wants to decide for herself when to switch from one flavor to the other. My son said he doesn’t care much for surprises when it comes to food. He doesn’t want to reach into a box and wonder what he’s getting.
I asked what they thought about Chicago-style popcorn, the mix of cheddar and caramel popcorn all jumbled together in the same bag.
Absolutely not.
They would much prefer two separate bags, one cheddar and one caramel, with no unnecessary surprises.
This fascinated me because I had never given it much thought, yet, personally, I enjoy reaching into a bag of Chicago mix and not knowing what flavor I’m about to get. Apparently my children and I have very different tolerance for uncertainty.
Cheddar Cheez-Its carried us into our afternoon at the beach, where we had packed a new box in our bag for the fourth beach day in a row. But, this time Dad came with us.
I left work early this afternoon intending to finish a few emails from home, avoid traffic, and refresh my attitude. When I pulled into the driveway, the family was stepping onto the porch in full beach attire with bags of snacks and beach toys slung over their shoulders.
It is very rare that I am not the parent taking the kids to the beach. In fact, yesterday was Father’s Day and I still found myself alone at the beach with the children so their father could enjoy a little peace and quiet.
I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to make this a family outing. I ditched my laptop, threw on a bikini, and jumped in the car.
It was the perfect afternoon.
The sky was impossibly blue. The trees were impossibly green. The cotton candy clouds looked like you could reach out and eat them.
My son had packed our newly acquired beach volleyball. I’ve never owned a volleyball before. I’m not entirely sure why. My parents weren’t volleyball people, my husband isn’t a volleyball person, and so, I never became a volleyball person either.
Recently my son asked if we could buy one and if I could teach him how to play.
I do technically play volleyball on occasion, but it is a low-caliber rec league situation. I broke my finger almost immediately upon starting and never learned any proper technique or plays, so I’m not exactly a reliable instructor.
Nevertheless, we bought the volleyball.
The good news is that my son is already pretty good. He’s also quite tall, and I have every reason to believe he’ll be even taller someday. My husband is very tall, athletic, and has never played volleyball either, which feels like a tremendous waste of natural resources.
We spent the afternoon attempting to keep the ball in the air. We laughed a lot, ate the entire box of Cheez-Its, and enjoyed the kind of summer afternoon that makes you forget about emails entirely.
Over on the beach towel, their dad finished another chapter of his book, and it made me realize I haven’t finished a book in a while.
Now I don’t know what to read next.
I’d like to find something of mutual interest, report back, and then ask a million questions. What’s next…